improving-access-green-climate-fund_0-92c0f44ea8ac7392.pdf

This working paper by the World Resources Institute evaluates the Green Climate Fund's (GCF) 'direct access' modality, which allows institutions in developing countries to receive funding without international intermediaries. While 62 developing country institutions were accredited as of November 2020, 67 percent of them had not yet received project approval. The paper analyzes four support mechanisms—the Readiness Programme, Project Preparation Facility, Simplified Approval Process, and Enhancing Direct Access pilot—finding that high administrative burdens, funding gaps for concept notes, and rigid eligibility criteria hinder smaller institutions from accessing climate finance.

• A significant gap exists between accreditation and project funding for developing country institutions; as of November 2020, 42 of the 62 accredited Direct Access Entities (67 percent) had not yet received project approval.
• The GCF's Readiness Programme is limited by its primary focus on National Designated Authorities (NDAs) rather than the accredited entities themselves, and it prohibits the use of funds for 'core support' such as staff time within the Direct Access Entity.
• The Project Preparation Facility (PPF) is difficult to access because it requires an endorsed concept note before funding is granted, creating a financial gap since concept notes can cost over $100,000 to complete.
• The Simplified Approval Process (SAP), intended for projects under $50 million with low risk, has not significantly reduced the time or effort required for approval compared to full proposals.
• The Enhancing Direct Access pilot has largely failed to meet its goals, approving only two projects in its first five years despite a target of 10, with only $30 million of the $200 million allocation committed.
• International Accredited Entities dominate the GCF portfolio, accounting for over 80 percent of funded projects by number and 82 percent of the total dollar value of approved finance.
• The authors recommend that the GCF provide automatic 'kick-off' funding of $100,000–$250,000 upon accreditation to support initial project identification and concept note development.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). improving-access-green-climate-fund_0-92c0f44ea8ac7392.pdf. https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/improving-access-green-climate-fund_0.pdf

Chicago

World Resources Institute. improving-access-green-climate-fund_0-92c0f44ea8ac7392.pdf. n.d. https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/improving-access-green-climate-fund_0.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=improving-access-green-climate-fund_0-92c0f44ea8ac7392.pdf |url=https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/improving-access-green-climate-fund_0.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendimprovingaccessgreenclimatefund092c0f44ea8ac7392pdf, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{improving-access-green-climate-fund\_0-92c0f44ea8ac7392.pdf}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/improving-access-green-climate-fund_0.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }